the leader of North Korea Kim Jong Unhas urged his Army to develop capabilities “to prevent and contain” nuclear attacks, according to the state media on Saturday, while Pyongyang seems to prepare a new atomic test imminently.
The North Korean dictator gave these instructions in a meeting with the military leadership of the regime that took place on the occasion of the celebration at the beginning of the week of the great parade to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the North Korean army, reported the state agency KCNA this Saturday.
Kim pointed out to national commanders the need to maintain “absolute superiority” of the North Korean forces and to “constantly develop the ability to prevent, fully contain and thwart all dangerous movements and threatening attempts” by “hostile forces”.
This includes “the escalation of nuclear threats” by the enemy, according to quotes attributed to the leader, who also asked senior officials to “open a new phase of development” of the Northern forces.
Kim also stressed that “tremendous offensive power” and the “tomilitary muscle brumador” of the regime is its “lifeline” and the key to its “future” in the current context of “clash of forces”, where “becoming strong” is the only way to “preserve dignity, rights and interests”, according to said.
The North Korean leader’s message is in line with the one he expressed during Monday’s parade, where he said that his country will expand its nuclear weapons capacity “as fast” as possible and that it will prepare thoroughly to be able to use atomic deterrence in any moment.
“Our essential mission is to deter to avoid a war scenario, but we cannot allow our nuclear weapons to be limited only to prevent a war waiting for a situation that we wish never to see on this earth,” added the leader.
The KCNA agency, which did not specify when exactly the meeting reported today took place, released photographs of the attendees, among whom, in addition to Kim, were senior officials such as Pak Jong-chon, one of the five members of the powerful presidium of the single party, or Defense Minister Ri Yong-gil.
imminent nuclear test
These pronouncements on nuclear deterrence come after Pyongyang has tested so far this year a record number of shells and has placed special emphasis on improving its tactical capabilities, which means being able to carry out more precise and damaging attacks at a regional level, while the satellites continue to detect preparations for a possible imminent nuclear test.
The latest images taken by satellite this week and analyzed by experts from the American Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reveal a high volume of activity at the North Korean nuclear test center in Punggye-ri (northeast of the country).
North Korea prepares its seventh atomic test, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
This, according to CSIS experts, shows “that preparations are underway” for what would be the seventh atomic test of the regime and the first since 2017, coinciding with similar indications previously detected by the intelligence services of seoul Y Washington.
The regime’s arms activities take place while the country has been completely isolated from the outside by the pandemic for more than two years, with no evidence of a vaccination plan that allows it to open borders and with the dialogue with the US on disarmament frozen since 2019 .
Among the launches carried out this year by the North is the first successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) since 2017, which is part of the ambitious five-year weapons modernization plan approved by the regime in January last year.
The escalation of tension on the peninsula coincides with the coming to power in South Korea of the conservative Yoon Suk-yeolwho will be sworn in as president on May 10 after promising a tougher line with his neighbor to the north, and who plans to receive US President Joe Biden in Seoul at the end of May.
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